BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese

This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich is insanely delicious and so easy to make!

As grilled cheese recipes go, this is definitely one of the more simple ones. It requires few ingredients and it’s perfect to customize! Great when you’re starving for lunch and the cheese craving hits. Which for me is essentially every meal 😂

BBQ Chicken

For the BBQ chicken you’ll want to use cooked chicken. Whether that’s buying a cooked rotisserie chicken, using up leftover chicken you’ve got on hand or cooking up chicken specifically for the reason of shredding it (more on this in the recipe card). Alongside the chicken you’ll need BBQ sauce, pickled jalapeños and red onion.

What BBQ Sauce to use?

You can really use any variety you like (sweet, smoky, spicy etc). In all cases just make sure it’s a quality brand as it does make up the bulk of flavour.

What else can I add to a BBQ Chicken Sandwich?

You can sub the red onion for spring onion if you prefer that flavour. Bacon is always welcome. Fresh Coriander/Cilantro also works nicely!

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yup! Just tightly cover in the fridge until needed, then bring to room temp before using. The length of time it lasts in the fridge depends on how long you had your chicken leftover for. Chicken made on the day will last 2-3days.

Process shots: shred chicken (photo 1), add red onion & jalapeño (photo 2), add BBQ sauce (photo 3), stir to combine (photo 4). 

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese

What Bread to use?

You want something sturdy like a Sourdough, just to help contain the filling. Tiger bread (UK) also works nicely. In all cases make sure you’re using thick slices. You can either make 2 giant grilled cheese sandwiches or 4 small.

What Cheese to use?

I use a combo of Monterey Jack and Cheddar, which both work perfectly here.

Process shots: butter bread and add face down in cold pan (photo 1), add cheese (photo 2), add BBQ chicken (photo 3), add more cheese (photo 4), add bread, butter then turn on heat (photo 5), fry both sides (photo 6).

Serving BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese

Crisp/Chip Recommendation: A tangy Salt & Vinegar goes well the sweetness and spice in this sandwich.

Side Recommendation: Some Individual Nachos go beautifully with this sandwich. As do Sweet Potato Wedges (or Bacon Wrapped Sweet Potato Wedges!).

Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this BBQ chicken grilled cheese shall we?!

How to make a BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese (Full Recipe & Video)

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese

This BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich is insanely delicious and so easy to make!

5 from 5 votes

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Course: lunch

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 18 minutes

Servings (click & slide): 2 large or 4 small sandwiches

Calories per serving: 929kcal

Author: Chris

Cost per serving: £3.50 / $4

Equipment

• Large Frying Pan & Turner/Spatula
• Medium Mixing Bowl
• Sharp Knife & Chopping Board

Ingredients

• 4 large or 8 small thick slices of Sourdough, Tiger or Giraffe Bread (UK)
• 2 packed cups / 250g-300g Cooked Chicken, shredded (see notes)
• 2/3 cup / 160g BBQ Sauce, or to preference
• 4 square slices of Monterey/Pepper Jack Cheese
• 4 square slices of Cheddar (or second cheese of choice)
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup finely diced Red Onion
• 1/4 cup Pickled Jalapeños, finely diced (or to spice preference)
• Butter, as needed

Instructions

• In a medium sized mixing bowl combine chicken, BBQ sauce, jalapeños and red onion. Place to one side.
• In a large pan with the heat OFF add two slices of bread. Butter one side, then flip so they're butter-side-down. Top with two slices of Monterey Jack, half your chicken, followed by two slices of cheddar. Add another slice of bread, butter the tops then turn on heat to a medium.
• Fry both sides until nice and golden with the cheese melting through the centre. If you're making two giant ones be careful when you flip or the filling with spill out. Slice in half and enjoy!

Quick Demo

Notes

a) Cooked Chicken - If you don't have leftover rotisserie chicken, you can either roast a chicken (super easy) or you can use raw breasts and cook them. Use two large chicken breasts (approx 14oz/400g), season and fry both sides to get a nice colour, then fill up with water or chicken stock, pop a lid on and allow to simmer until cooked throughout. Depending on the size of breasts this could take between 8-12mins. Pop in a bowl and shred with two forks.

b) BBQ Sauce - Any good quality brand will work well. You can use any variety too (sweet, smoky, spicy etc). Last time I made this recipe I used Heinz Korean Style Sticky BBQ Sauce which added heaps of flavour!

c) Extras 'n' Optionals - Fresh Coriander/Cilantro works nicely here. You can also sub out red onion for spring onion if you prefer that. Crispy bacon is always welcome!

d) Calories - per sandwich assuming 2 large sandwiches are made.

Your Private Notes:

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Nutrition:

Nutrition Facts

BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese

Amount Per Serving

Calories 929 Calories from Fat 337

% Daily Value*

Fat 37.48g58%

Saturated Fat 19.934g125%

Trans Fat 0.464g

Polyunsaturated Fat 3.209g

Monounsaturated Fat 10.28g

Cholesterol 206mg69%

Sodium 2108mg92%

Potassium 776mg22%

Carbohydrates 71.89g24%

Fiber 2.9g12%

Sugar 36.53g41%

Protein 72.72g145%

Vitamin A 1076IU22%

Vitamin C 2.2mg3%

Calcium 841mg84%

Iron 4.78mg27%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance. Please check out my FAQ Page for more info.

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